Courtney Petersen of Novato needed to get her hair colored, but after a fire in the Central Market restaurant cut power to downtown Sharon Bowman of Finesse Hair Salon, used natural light to get the job done, Thursday August 29, 2013 in downtown Petaluma. (Kent Porter / Press Democrat) 2013

A firefighter cools off after helping to control a fire in the Central Market restaurant, which went to two-alarms, Thursday August 29, 2013 in downtown Petaluma. (Kent Porter / Press Democrat) 2013

A woman who did not want to be identified walks through the fire scene at Central Market restaurant, which went to two-alarms, Thursday August 29, 2013 in downtown Petaluma. (Kent Porter / Press Democrat) 2013

City Councilman Mike Harris stopped at the scene and complimented the firefighters' efforts.

"All things considered, it went pretty well," he said.

Eight engines and a ladder truck responded to the fire, with the Wilmar, Gold Ridge, Rohnert Park, Rancho Adobe, San Antonio, Cal Fire and Two Rock departments assisting Petaluma at the scene and providing backup at city fire stations.

Barbra Long, co-owner of the adjacent Finesse Hair Salon, said there were five customers in chairs — four with black dye on their hair — when the evacuation was ordered.

Petaluma's ladder truck delivered firefighters to the roof, where they cut holes to make sure they had extinguished all the flames, Holden said.

The adjacent hair salon was back in business by about 5:25 p.m., but the restaurant, which features California-Mediterranean cuisine, will be closed indefinitely.

Tony Najiola, the restaurant's owner and chef, said he did not know when he would reopen.

"It doesn't look like we're going to be grilling food any time soon," he said, standing across an alley from the back end of the building.

Najiola, sipping a flute of champagne, took a philosophical approach to his situation. "What are you going to do?" he said. "Today is bad; tomorrow might be good."

"Me and my staff do a good job," the New Orleans native said. "We'll get through this."

Central Market, opened in 2003 at the intersection of Petaluma Boulevard and Western Avenue, has drawn positive reviews from local and Bay Area critics.

Holden estimated the damage at $50,000 to the building and $20,000 to the interior, including equipment.

Any fire in Petaluma's historic downtown is a concern, he said, due to the area's economic importance.

City Councilman Mike Harris stopped at the scene and complimented the firefighters' efforts.

"All things considered, it went pretty well," he said.

Eight engines and a ladder truck responded to the fire, with the Wilmar, Gold Ridge, Rohnert Park, Rancho Adobe, San Antonio, Cal Fire and Two Rock departments assisting Petaluma at the scene and providing backup at city fire stations.

Barbra Long, co-owner of the adjacent Finesse Hair Salon, said there were five customers in chairs — four with black dye on their hair — when the evacuation was ordered.